Selling a Business in California

Selling a business after years of work can be very profitable. Many businesses are created with the hopes that they will one day be acquired by a larger firm. The process of selling your business can be complex, however. Federal and California laws over mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchanges may be important in the transaction.

How Do I Sell a Business?

Obviously, the initial step in selling a business is to either receive an offer or solicit one. In Fresno, purchase agents do more than simply find buyers. They also lend advice about which offers are worthwhile to consider. Preparing financial records to comply with California and Federal law is imperative and will help determine the proper value for the rights you are selling. A formal contracts will likely be written to solidify the sales agreement. Careful review of this agreement is imperative so that all concerns voiced during negotiations are accurately presented.

What Will I Give Up in the Business?

Essentially, the sale of a business entails the passing of a right known as ?control?. With control of a business, a party might direct its operations and dispose of its property as it sees fit. Since buyers in Fresno are usually concerned with acquiring control, they may be willing to allow other rights, such as the right to future earnings, to remain with the seller in exchange for the cheapest price on the right of control. These particularities make negotiations essential, during which each party should use the opportunity to voice their intentions and concerns.

Life in Fresno

Fresno is the seat of Fresno County, California and home to over 500,000 residents. As the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley, the Fresno Metropolitan area plays host to 1.2 million. Fresno is Spanish for ash tree. The ash tree's leaf is even featured on the City of Fresno flag. Many locals are work on large scale agricultural farms that produce many fruits and nuts distributed throughout the world. Community Medical Centers, the City of Fresno, Kaiser Permanente, and the Saint Agnes Medical Center are other major employers. Another major employer and attraction to Fresno is California State University, Fresno.

Fresno is host to a number of important Courts. The United States Courthouse for the Eastern District of California is located downtown and handles a number of Federal cases like Immigration issues. The Fresno County Court is responsible for many of the cases that arise in Fresno including Criminal cases like assault and DUI as well as Civil cases like personal injury. The Fifth Appellate District of the State of California Court of Appeals handles any criminal appeals. The San Joaquin College of Law is one of the local law schools serving potential Fresno lawyers.

How Can an Attorney Help?

In selling a business, the seller must meet the requirements of California law. A local lawyer practicing in Fresno will be able to advise you about your particular sale.

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